Running Low on Energy? A Guide to Sustainable Leadership

3 minute read
Smiling businesswoman working on a laptop in a Vancouver office lobby, showcasing leadership and resilience in a modern workplace.

Leading a team, driving innovation, and navigating the complexities of today’s business world can feel like running a marathon with no finish line in sight. It’s exhilarating, challenging, and undeniably demanding. But here’s the thing: even the most driven leaders have a limited supply of energy and resilience.

Think of your inner resources as a Resilience Reservoir – a wellspring of strength you draw on to handle pressure, overcome obstacles, and maintain focus. When your reservoir is full, you’re at your best: making sound decisions, inspiring your team, and navigating challenges with confidence. But when it runs dry, you risk burnout, diminished performance, and even health issues.

In our work with executives, we’ve seen firsthand how depleted resilience can derail even the most talented leaders. A recent study by Harvard Business Review found that 76% of leaders reported experiencing at least one symptom of burnout in the past year. That’s a staggering number! It’s clear that prioritizing your own well-being isn’t a luxury; it’s an international leadership strategy for sustainable success.

So, how do you keep your Resilience Reservoir full? Here are 4 proven strategies:

1. Prioritize Passion Projects and Play

Remember those activities that light you up and bring you joy? They’re not just “hobbies”—they’re vital for your well-being. Whether it’s tinkering with your car, hitting the golf course, volunteering in your community, or simply spending time in nature, these passions re-energize you and provide a crucial sense of balance.

  • Make it Happen: Your schedule is packed, but even small pockets of time dedicated to your passions can make a big difference. One of our clients, a VP with a rapidly growing technical company, blocks out 45 minutes every morning for a run. He says it’s the key to starting his day with focus and energy.

2. Cultivate Meaningful Connections

We are all wired for connection from birth. Spending time with loved ones, catching up with friends, or having meaningful conversations with colleagues provides a sense of belonging, support, and perspective.

  • Lead by Example: Foster a culture of connection within your team. Encourage open communication, show up in an approachable manner, create opportunities for social interaction, and show genuine interest in those around you. Research shows that strong social connections are linked to increased happiness, improved health, and even greater longevity (especially for men!).

3. Master Your Energy

Pay attention to your energy levels throughout the day. What activities drain you? What type of work brings you energy in-flow? Checking-in with yourself will enhance your self-awareness to help you manage your energy better.

  • Energy Drainers: Back-to-back meetings, constant problem-solving, negativity, work-related travel, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition can all take a toll.
  • Energy Replenishers: Time in nature, exercise, meditation, quality time with loved ones, laughter, pursuing hobbies, and unplugging from technology can all help you recharge.

4. Be Kind to Yourself

Leadership comes with high expectations. Remember to treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you offer to others, especially when facing setbacks. This can be especially difficult for driven, goal-oriented individuals who got to where they are through hard work, high expectations of themselves and others and raw determination.

  • Embrace Imperfection: We all make mistakes. Learn from them and move forward with renewed focus. One of our clients, a senior executive struggling with self-doubt, learned to reframe her inner critic by asking herself, “What would I say to a dear friend in this situation?” This simple shift in perspective helped her cultivate greater self-compassion.
  • Know When to Let Go: Not every problem is yours to solve, and not every burden is yours to carry. It’s okay to delegate, to say “no,” and to set boundaries. Give yourself permission to put things down that are too heavy, without seeing it as a failure. True strength lies in recognizing your limits and prioritizing your well-being.


Ready to Take Charge of Your Leadership? Thriveworks focuses on coaching and strategic support for leaders, their teams and organizations going through growth and change. Let’s connect and explore how we can help you navigate the leadership and people complexities in your business. Please reach out at hello@thriveworks.ca.

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